Local rest areas closed for winter

Three local rest areas are among only a handful throughout the state that have closed for the winter because of either reduced use or safety concerns.According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, only five of the state's 81 rest areas were closed Monday and will remain closed through April 1. The rest will remain open during the upcoming winter months, according to a press release.

Three local rest areas are among only a handful throughout the state that have closed for the winter because of either reduced use or safety concerns.

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, only five of the state's 81 rest areas were closed Monday and will remain closed through April 1.

The rest will remain open during the upcoming winter months, according to a press release.

"Motorists, commercial drivers and tourists all rely on our network of rest areas year-round for the convenience and safety they provide," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle in a press release. "That's why we keep as many of them open throughout the winter as possible."

Reduced use during winter months and safety concerns at some of the rest areas, stemming from steep entrance and exit drives and potentially slippery conditions on stairways between parking lots and buildings, are the main reasons for the closures, according to the release.

Among those that closed are the Topinabee Rest Area on northbound Interstate 75 in Cheboygan County, the Hebron Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Cheboygan County and the St. Ignace Rest Area on southbound I-75 in Mackinac County.

Other rest areas in the state that will reopen in April include the Ludington Rest Area on northbound U.S. 31 in Mason County and the Hart Rest Area on southbound U.S. 31 in Oceana County.